Valentine Flowers Decoded

Roses are red; violets are blue. Do you know that flowers have different meanings, too?

Love is in the air, urging love-struck Pinoys to visit the famous stretch of flower markets in Dangwa, Sampaloc to pre-order breathtaking bouquets for the special someones.

Going days before Valentine’s Day is actually encouraged as flower prices are likely to soar on February 14. But when faced with the plethora of floral selections, one question comes to mind: What kind of flowers should you buy?

For thousands of years, red roses have been the classic symbol of romantic love. But beyond this ubiquitous Valentine bloom, only a few know the meaning behind the other colors of roses, as well as the other types of flowers. Although it is easy to appreciate a pretty bouquet, it doesn’t hurt to know the messages different flowers carry.

Brush up on your floral dictionary with the list below:

Red Rose
The flower with the biggest demand on V-day, it conveys romantic love, passion and respect. 25 red roses means “Congratulations!” while 52 of these blooms convey unconditional love.

White Rose
Commonly used in weddings, white roses mean innocence, purity, reverence and truth. However, it is also sometimes associated with sympathy and death.

Yellow Rose
If you want to give flowers to a friend, yellow roses are recommended since they denote friendship and joy. They’re also appropriate to give to newlyweds, new mothers and graduates.

Pink Roses
Pink roses stand for gratitude, admiration and happiness. In recent years, roses in deep pink have been associated with the advocacy against breast cancer.

Orange Rose
Symbolically, it shows desire or fascination for the recipient. So give this to someone you want to get to know better.

Lavender Rose
Do you find someone enchanting? Give him or her a lavender rose. It also symbolizes love at first sight.

Black Rose
The black rose does not exist, but the darkest red variety can look black. This flower depicts an ending. However, some suggest that it could also mean the beginning of something new.

Carnation
Its name roughly translating to “flower of the gods,” carnations have long been used in the ceremonial crowns of the ancient Greeks. These flowers also symbolize a mother’s love, fascination and distinction.

Tulips
Classic and affordable, tulips are one of the most popular flowers in the world. Generally, tulips convey warmth and comfort.

Gerberas
The Gerbera variety of the Daisy Family expresses cheerfulness as shown in its variety of vibrant colors. So send some if you want to brighten someone’s day.

Snapdragons
These flowers are said to have a dragon-like appearance because when you squeeze them together, their ‘jaws’ looks like a dragon opening and closing its mouth. It has two seemingly conflicting meanings – graciousness or a sign of deception.

So before you give flowers this love season, look up their meanings first, and decide which ones will truly convey what you feel. After all, a well-thought gift is always appreciated, especially on Valentine’s Day.